There is good reform.

And there is bad reform.

Though in fairness to the bad reform, we wouldn't get pick up lines like this without the likes of Luther and Calvin...

Today many ill-informed, evil, or just plain stupid Catholics are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. I am commemorating another day. It was ten years ago on this day I got my first true glimpse of ecumenism.

Yes, I was studying at Redeemer University College. A Calvinist-esque place where I intended on quickly finishing up my degree and getting the heck out of there. I could tell something was up leading up to October 31st. There were posters speaking of the upcoming Reformation Day. So the day hit. I more or less expected it to be the usual Halloween style day. Some people dress up. Some don't. Maybe a prof hands out candy. Whatever. But that day wasn't at all like that.

Let's just say where I grew up in late fall it is hunting season. Well at Redeemer, in my experience of Reformation Day, it was hunting season on Catholics. The Reformation was constantly brought up in class and in the hallways. Catholicism was frequently ridiculed, mocked, and sneered at. It was all very eye-opening. But what else could I expect? I was on their soil, so to speak. I sucked it up that day. I took my punches. The sin of being a Catholic. A proud Catholic.

But just as with the counter-Reformation, I doubled down the next day and counter-punched Protestant ideas all the more fiercely at class. A couple of profs appreciated this. Others definitely not. And that, I believe, is the ecumenical movement. In other words, what ecumenical movement? The fuzzy show of unity is a mask. There are differences that will never be overcome. There is bitterness that will continue. No surprises. We just deal with it. And we certainly don't celebrate it.

Yes, 500 years of Luther and his kin. A parting shot Luther: If you were saved, it was only through the merits and grace of the Catholic Church.

Now that wasn't a very ecumenical thing to say was it?

Raising Culture

The world is a mess right now. Many good Catholics are at a loss as to what we can or should do. Look, we won't get very far unless we can start changing things (i.e. culture) right in our own areas, and more specifically in our own homes. 

Here is a great example of building Catholic culture. This is Luke Levesque's place. He is a fairly young Catholic father of, hmm, I think 6 kids. He has some land near Saskatoon. The man works hard and is quite smart. Well yesterday, on the Traditional feast of Christ the King, he erected a cross on his land.

Catholic culture indeed. Great job Luke and very inspiring! Viva Christo Rey!

Points to Ponder: Pictures and Such

Points to Ponder on a cold a windy Sunday afternoon.

1) Choc it up to...

Mommy thought it would be fun to give the kids chocolate zucchini muffins with Nutella and strawberries for breakfast, because "it's Sunday."

The little angels. What could go wrong?

Ten minutes later...

Around and around and around they went.

Can we just stick to oatmeal tomorrow?

 2) Hockey

The hockey season began a few weeks ago. I am in my first year as a coach. I was talked into being a head coach, and now I also somehow ended up being the one who plans all the practices for both teams. Yesterday we had a hockey jamboree. It was way too long (3 plus hours) but Joseph loved it! It was neat seeing him as a second year player. All the best players from last year have moved on to senior novice. This leaves Joseph and a couple of others as the far and away best players out there. That's the thing with hockey. Every second year is your year to shine.

Here's Joseph going in for a breakaway.

Here he is returning after scoring.

Scoring was a little too easy for him against some of the younger kids. We'll be playing some harder teams later in the year.


3) Snow, snow, snow, snoooow

Yes we had winter arrive earlier last week. It's since somewhat melted, though today is quite cool with it blowing snow. I can never get tired of the reaction of little kids when they see snow for the first time in the fall. They are so pumped. It was like Christmas over at the school, and same with our backyard.

4, 5, and 6) Riders: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Things are never boring in Riderville. There has been lots going on lately. We have a great team this year.

The Good:

A week ago our top receiver, Duron Carter, became a defensive back. The opposing team's quarterback, Bo Levi Mitchell, mocked in on twitter, saying he'd throw 25 balls his way. Well, Carter got the last laugh. He picked Mitchell off and ran it back for a touchdown. I just love the call by our radio guy Rod Pedersen!

The Bad:

Well, bad and good. On Friday old Mosaic Stadium was torn down. I had the live video link playing at school for my students to keep an eye on. And then...

The new stadium is simply awesome. I love it. Still though, so many memories were with the old one. I thought Rod Pedersen (already mentioned) had some great thoughts on the demolition. From his blog:

"It's fitting the Riders won Friday night on the same day the Grand Ol' Lady came down. No stadium in Canada has hosted more pro football games than Taylor Field but now she's just a memory. I was there Friday to pay my respects but thought the image of the grandstand toppling over was undignified. (Like an old man falling over on his face). I know it had to be done, but wish I hadn't looked."

The Ugly:

Yes, the Riders won handily on Friday night, beating Montreal in what was the return of Darian Durant. This is how we closed out the first half though. A collective groan was heard around the province. Sigh. Watch at 3:50 of the video.

Again... Sigh.


7) Books

We've really cut down on our TV watching. So I figured I could splurge on some books. A few arrived recently (more on the way).

I started The Man in the Iron Mask. So far (300 pages in) it's excellent. I'm really looking forward to reading Anthony Esolen's book. I enjoy his work at crisis magazine. I'm sure many of you have read his incredible take down of Jesuit heretic (repetitive) Fr. James Martin. As for Chip Gaines' book, hey, he's a very entertaining guy.

That's all I have for now. We still have to brave the elements here and get outside. Yucky. Have a great week.

Fall Recap & Photo Dump

First off, we celebrated Joseph's 6th birthday way back at the beginning of September. He is growing up to be a fine little (not so little) man.

Joseph requested a chuck wagon cake for his birthday. Uh huh! Thankfully, Daddy came to the rescue and built a chuck wagon from Lego because oh my, there is no way I could draw anything of the sort (despite Joseph's assurances to the contrary).

His favourite birthday gift is a crazy contraptions book with Lego technic (this one) which he uses every single day. Oh, and he lost his second front tooth just in time for his birthday...

We've been on some beautiful fall hikes (one of which Dan already shared). While in Saskatoon one weekend, we took a little walk by a man-made lake in a rather fancy part of the city. The boys loved seeing a little otter swim around. The houses around the little lake even had paddle boats and canoes in their backyards. Pretty cool for living in the city! 

We've enjoyed a couple walks to the top of "Mount Tisdale". John Paul made up this huge story about how it's first name is Mount Tisdale, it's middle name is Mount Carmel, and it's last name is Mount Tis. Uh huh. We're not sure either.

We harvested the last of our garden on Thanksgiving weekend. It has been so much fun and so rewarding having our own little plot of earth. We are still eating garden carrots this week (they have been our sole carrot supply for 3 months! and we've eaten tons!). And we still have a lot of potatoes to eat in the basement. The kids have really enjoyed it too.

Thanksgiving weekend also found us visiting with cousins in Nipawin and playing with some new baby kittens. Our kids just love hanging out with their cousins. After two weekends in a row seeing cousins, Joseph has been complaining that they all live too far away and can't we see them more!

A little indoor fun of late involved impersonating Grandpa and Grandma Millette with potato heads and potato head accessories. I love Emilie's cute little lady glasses on the end of her nose!

And my favourites from this photo dump! We have some beautiful paths in Tisdale that we've shared over and over again. The railroad tracks go over a big old wooden bridge, the path runs under it and through the woods and over some bridges. It is so beautiful during the fall. We took a couple walks there this year again and snapped some photos of the kids. Fall sunshine = gorgeous. These beauties are completely unedited, but I wish I had the skills to do a bit of work on them.

Spiritual Reading for Reformation Day

I know some Catholics are getting pretty excited for the upcoming 500th anniversary of Luther's 95 theses. I've studied much of Luther's writings. I've studied much of Calvin's writings. In fact, I'll stick my neck out and say I've studied them far more than the vast majority of priests and bishops. Look, it's a big moment. Many dioceses are celebrating it. Others are unsure of how to commemorate this moment in history. I personally am looking forward to celebrating something else in a few years. From June 15, 1520, here is an excerpt from Pope Leo X's Exsurge Domine:

“With the advice and consent of these our venerable brothers, with mature deliberation on each and every one of the above theses, and by the authority of almighty God, the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own authority, we condemn, reprobate, and reject completely each of these theses or errors as either heretical, scandalous, false, offensive to pious ears or seductive of simple minds, and against Catholic truth. By listing them, we decree and declare that all the faithful of both sexes must regard them as condemned, reprobated, and rejected . . . We restrain all in the virtue of holy obedience and under the penalty of an automatic major excommunication….

Moreover, because the preceding errors and many others are contained in the books or writings of Martin Luther, we likewise condemn, reprobate, and reject completely the books and all the writings and sermons of the said Martin, whether in Latin or any other language, containing the said errors or any one of them; and we wish them to be regarded as utterly condemned, reprobated, and rejected. We forbid each and every one of the faithful of either sex, in virtue of holy obedience and under the above penalties to be incurred automatically, to read, assert, preach, PRAISE, print, publish, or defend them. They will incur these penalties if they presume to uphold them in any way, personally or through another or others, directly or indirectly, tacitly or explicitly, publicly or occultly, either in their own homes or in other public or private places. Indeed immediately after the publication of this letter these works, wherever they may be, shall be sought out carefully by the ordinaries and others [ecclesiastics and regulars], and under each and every one of the above penalties shall be burned publicly and solemnly in the presence of the clerics and people.”

Oh but I left out some of the more juicy items from his writing. That's just how both sides communicated back in the day. By the way, Luther's response? He burned a copy of this Papal Bull. Along with a copy of Canon Law. Anyway, best of luck to those planning a Reformation celebration.

First Day of School

It's been awhile... 

We took some first day of school pictures and did little interviews, but didn't post anything. So here it is, weeks and weeks later. 

Grade 1

Height: 3ft.8.5in.

Favourite colour: blue

Favourite subject: science

Most excited to do this year: build Lego

Future occupation: be an RCMP

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Preschool

Height: 3ft.1in.

Favourite colour: blue

Favourite subject: colouring

Most excited to do this year: build Lego

Future occupation: build houses on the ground and tree houses

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Toddler

Height: 2ft.5in.

Most excited to do this year: pull everything out everywhere

We are loving homeschooling again. It's lots of work and, sometimes, a bit of stress for me, but very rewarding for all involved.

Joseph did so well in Kindergarten last year. He is reading stories to the kids (!) and has beautiful handwriting. We started a new online daily math quiz this year in addition (ha! yep, that's what he's doing) to his usual math and he is very excited to see his progress mastering addition facts. 

Science remains a favourite around here. Mostly, they love experiments! But I'm trying to make sure they retain some of the information too, although it's not really the focus as much as discovery and fun. John Paul has been going around collecting leaves "to study" and yells "I found a compound leaf" every time he finds one. Something is sinking in.

Although John Paul is too young even for "preschool" he demanded I get him some books and has been very serious about his school work. He is now learning to recognize numbers and count objects, even while still not having the motor skills to write anything. 

Meanwhile, Emilie is our pest sweetheart. She is getting into everything! Markers, pencil shavings, crayons, books... anything left anywhere in her reach is liable to be used and/or destroyed. But everything is done with a sweet smile! We already had one cupboard (which can't be baby proofed) in the kitchen completely empty so she wouldn't take food out, but now she has discovered how to open the pantry and has been found munching on granola bars she opened for herself. It should be a great year!

In all seriousness, though, it will be a great year! I'm blessed with awesome little ones and they, I dare say, don't mind hanging out with me and learning stuff (most days)!

Tragically Hip

It was last August that I wrote a post on Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip and his final concert (here). In it I argued that the extremely talented Downie, the ultimate Canadian in the liberal's view of Canada, did not require platitudes as he endured his final battle with cancer, but rather grace (too). Well the giant of Canadiana culture, who oddly enough had Tom Petty as his favourite musician growing up, has died. And if you believe our drama teacher turned prime minister, we are now less of a country because of it. The legendary poet-rocker Gord Downie, the one of who's music I and countless others admire, has died. No poetry about it. Just death, which comes for us all.

What has struck me most is the typical way a death such as his is portrayed. That is, a seemingly happy death. Surrounded by family. The Canadian dream to the non-bitter end. He lived and died a hero.

The highlight of my summer: driving past a Bobcaygeon sign.

Tonight my son Joseph and I were at Mass. In what can surely be attributed to my worldly distractedness, or maybe just a moment of grace too, at the elevation of the chalice I was prompted to pray for Downie's soul. In death he still does not need platitudes, but prayers. There is only one who has conquered death. The one roundly mocked and hated by many of our Canadian liberals, Jesus, is the one hope for Downie.

Later at Mass: "but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." No greater poetry. No greater depth. No greater love. While many rush to canonize a musician into Canadian heaven, shall we not forget about the real heaven? Downie was so hip to so many. So hip he could do not wrong. So hip that he is already jamming in some mysterious other world with Tom Petty and all other worthy icons. So hip. So perfectly hip. With an intense void in his life. So tragically hip.

- - -

As Joseph and I got home from Mass the sky was lit up with stars. They were breathlessly arrayed in forms which we admired for their beauty and grandeur. Yes, those constellations. And again I thought of Downie. His mythical "constellations" of Bobcaygeon, revealing themselves one star at a time. Another star has joined the constellations. One made by God. Whether he knew it or not.

He knows now.

And yes Gord, this life was just a dress rehearsal, for true life.

O Magnum Mysterium

Ola Gjeilo's O Magnum Mysterium

Latin text

O magnum mysterium,

et admirabile sacramentum,

ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,

jacentem in praesepio!

Beata Virgo, cujus viscera

meruerunt portare

Dominum Christum.

Alleluia.

English translation

O great mystery,

and wonderful sacrament,

that animals should see the new-born Lord,

lying in a manger!

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb

was worthy to bear

Christ the Lord.

Alleluia!

Some Families

It was a typical busy afternoon as I walked out of my class and down the hall. I was feeling grateful that I teach grade 5, meaning I can pop out of class for a minute to grab some supplies and have the reassurance that the classroom wouldn't blow up in my absence. As I walked down the hall towards the end supply room I could hear one of the grade 2 teachers reading to her class. I somewhat chuckled to myself thinking about how loud her voice carried. Ahh yes, this teacher is only here for half the year. And she's our next door neighbour too. I walked closer to her classroom, the unmistakable hit me: "Some families have TWO moms... Some families have TWO dads... Some families have..." I gulped in shock and quickly took a look at the class as I passed by. The children were all sitting on the floor for story time. The "story" had their full and undivided attention. I quickly snapped my head back to face where I was walking to. Suddenly my path seemed to blur a little. My first thoughts were of Joseph. How he was at home learning from his mom. His ONE mom. "Reason number one that we home school" I acknowledged to myself. I retrieved my supplies and walked back to class. Evidently the teacher was not finished the book: "Some families live in houses with other families... Some families..."

I felt very sad for those children in that class. First off, they weren't even read a story. It was a half-hearted attempt at story telling. But it was not a story. It was, of course, meant to instill a message. I thought about how there is a boy in that class whose parents, one of the few who go to weekly Mass in our town, would be livid if they knew that there son was being read this. What can you do? Tell them? Risk repercussions? That's one battle I wouldn't win. It may seek me out some day, but I'd rather not actively seek it out at the moment. But this family... I want them to know what was being read.

The bottom line is this, if your child is in a public school you must assume he or she is being taught things not in accord with the Christian faith. If you continue to send your child to public school, fine. But do so having been warned. Check in with your child daily on what he or she has learned. We must be ever vigilant. Because some families are Catholics. Some families serve one Lord. With one faith. One baptism. One God and Father of all. And as St. Paul carries on in Ephesians 4: "That henceforth we be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive."

Belong to the family of Christ.